Modular Beverage Dispensing System with Integrated External Ingredient Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beverage dispensing systems lack an efficient and flexible method to combine and control the dispensing of beverage bases, macro-ingredients, and micro-ingredients, leading to limitations in recipe complexity and ingredient management.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an internal and external portion, with a control architecture that integrates a bag-in-box (BIB) portion, water, macro-ingredient, and micro-ingredient portions, using flexible tubing and pumps like controlled gear pumps and positive displacement pumps to meter and mix ingredients, along with a modular add-on for enhanced control and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a separate external rack system is used for bag-in-box containers, then the system can store additional ingredients externally, but the integration and control between internal and external portions becomes complex and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the external ingredient storage system with the internal dispensing mechanism by providing direct fluid communication between the external bag-in-box containers and the internal pump system. This merging eliminates the need for separate transfer mechanisms while maintaining extended storage capacity, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The external portion is designed to work seamlessly with the internal portion, allowing the same control architecture to manage both internal and external ingredients. This multi-functional design enables a single system to handle both storage and dispensing operations without requiring separate control mechanisms.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple ingredient containers are stacked on trays, then storage capacity is increased, but the control and monitoring of each container becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect the level of ingredients in each container and provide feedback to the control architecture. This allows the system to automatically track the status of multiple stacked containers, enabling precise monitoring without increasing operational complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If a unified control architecture manages both internal and external portions, then ingredient dispensing precision is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control architecture is designed to universally manage both internal and external ingredient sources through a single integrated control system. This unified approach maintains precise dispensing control while avoiding the need for separate control mechanisms, thereby managing complexity effectively.
4Adaptability or versatility
If external ingredient containers are used, then recipe complexity and ingredient variety are enhanced, but the reliability of ingredient supply and mixing becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The external ingredient containers are directly integrated with the internal pump and mixing system, ensuring reliable fluid communication and consistent ingredient delivery. This merging maintains supply reliability while enabling access to a broader range of ingredients for complex recipes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the efficient and flexible combination of beverage bases and ingredients, allowing for complex recipes and improved ingredient management, enhancing the dispensing system's capability to produce a variety of beverages with precise control over ratios and temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
using flexible tubing and pumps like controlled gear pumps and positive displacement pumps to meter and mix ingredients
Implementation Method 2
using flexible tubing and pumps like controlled gear pumps and positive displacement pumps to meter and mix ingredients
Implementation Method 3
A system comprising an internal and external portion, with a control architecture that integrates a bag-in-box (BIB) portion, water, macro-ingredient, and micro-ingredient portions, using flexible tubing and pumps like controlled gear pumps and positive displacement pumps to meter and mix ingredients
Data Source
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AI summary
A dispensing system may be provided. The dispensing system may comprise a control architecture internal to the dispensing system. The dispensing system may further comprise an internal portion internal to the dispensing system. The internal portion may be configured to provide an internal ingredient under the control of the control architecture. An external portion may be external to the dispensing system. The external portion may be configured to provide an external ingredient to the dispensing system. The external portion may be under the control of the control architecture.